What’s left . . .
We have a list of Standard-Triumph chassis numbers sent to Italy to become Italias but, until a car resurfaces, we have no way of knowing what it’s Vignale body number might be. We can get within a few numbers but the cars were not assembled in numerical order and some earlier chassis would have a much later body number. Here is a list of the cars known to survive:
Prototypes: There were two prototypes. The second prototype still exists. The original prototype was reputedly modified to a standard production model. From what we now know, this seems unlikely. It's possible that the first prototype was not converted but was dismantled, scrapped or still exists in a barn somewhere. Further investigation into earlier chassis numbers will be necessary.
Prototypes: 2
Show cars: 1, 2, 3 are known to survive.
Italia #1's chassis shipped to Vignale on June 9th, 1959. #1 was sent to Standard-Triumph for evaluation and remains in the U.K. today. There were six more chassis delivered in July of 1959 giving Vignale enough time to prepare some of them for the Turin show in late October. The next batch of chassis did not ship until October 7th, 1959. We know there were at least three cars at the show. The white car on the stand (#3), a dark colored car on Vignale's stand and another white car photographed outside the show in Parco del Valentino. #2 was most likely being used as a test car at this time and is rumored to have been Ruffino's personal car. These cars were assembled completely by Vignale.
Show cars: 3
Early show/production cars: 8, 11, 16, 22, 25, 27
It is assumed that after Ruffino's arrangement with Triumph fell through, the badging was changed to remove "Triumph" from the name (except for the mention on the rear wings). At what exact point this occurred, no one knows. It is also unclear exactly when Ruffino took over final assembly of the Italia. He arranged for his own staff and assembly line within the Vignale facilities. Although the bodies were always produced by Vignale. Information indicates that the first 17 chassis were delivered to Vignale. A number of these may have been assembled completely by Vignale.
Early Production cars: 6
It's not known if #8 and #11 came with the "show car" badging. Restorers have used the standard production badging on #8 but it does have the very early fuel tank seen in the show cars. #11 has no side marker lights and no badging (which were most likely left off in a repaint). #16 has the production badging and fuel tank but the side marker lights are mounted very high on the wings which makes it appear they might have been added or repositioned by the restorer. #22, #25 and #27 have the later "production" badging and standard location for the marker lights.
Production: 29, 30, 35, 40, 41, 46, 47, 48, 52, 54, 55, 58, 59, 61, 62, 64, 65, 73, 80, 82, 84, 85, 88, 91, 94, 95, 97, 102, 109, 112, 114, 116, 117, 118, 119, 122, 123, 126, 129, 134, 135, 142, 153, 157, 161, 162, 163, 167, 168, 169, 174, 180, 184, 187, 194, 195, 197, 198, 202, 203, 204, 208, 210, 214, 215, 217, 219, 224, 225, 227, 231, 234, 235, 239, 241, 244, 248, 250, 252, 253, 254, 256, 262, 264, 276, 281, 282, 285, 289, 290, 292, 295
Production "TS" Chassis: 92
TSF cars: 300, 301, 305, 306 (scrapped), 308, 310, 311, 312, 313, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 326, 327, 328 (21 out of 29 original cars)
"Late" Production "TSF" Chassis: 21
Totals: Including cars for which we have no commission and/or Vignale number (6 cars), the total number of Italias now known to have survived, at least to the 1980s, amounts to 130. Approximately 122 are currently known worldwide either as parts, awaiting or under restoration and restored.
Surviving Italias: Photographs from my collection. Credit given where possible with special thanks to Graham Andrews, Scott Marquis, Tyrone Stoner, Leo Ranner and Paul Harvey. Another "thank you!" to individual owners for their help in compiling the list and use of their photos..
Repeat that, please . . .
We have some cars that are either listed with incorrect Vignale numbers or only the Triumph chassis number. Unfortunately, the chassis were not assembled in numerical order. Owners without a Vignale number would need to scour their car for stamped and written numbers. Often parts from a car being assembled at the same time ended up on another so it's necessary to check in multiple places for a positive I.D. We also have some cars known only by either their chassis or their Vignale number.
Repeat that again, please . . .
We have some photos of cars for which we have no other information available. Let us know if you recognize any of these.
